Hollywood actor known for playing wholesome wives and Ma Kent in Superman
Although Phyllis Thaxter, who has died aged 92, had a successful career in films throughout the 1940s and 50s, many will remember her for her last movie role, in Superman (1978). It was the small but key part of Ma Kent, the childless farmer's wife who adopts a foundling baby and names him Clark. Together with her husband (Glenn Ford) – both made intentionally to resemble the couple in Grant Wood's American Gothic painting – they bring up the abnormally physically gifted boy until he's ready to fly off "to fight for truth, justice and the American way".
At one stage, she tells him: "We Kents don't like show-offs, ain't that so? A body's got to be humble even if he knows that he's better'n his neighbours." A fragile beauty, Thaxter was never a show-off, but made an impact in a gentle way,...
Although Phyllis Thaxter, who has died aged 92, had a successful career in films throughout the 1940s and 50s, many will remember her for her last movie role, in Superman (1978). It was the small but key part of Ma Kent, the childless farmer's wife who adopts a foundling baby and names him Clark. Together with her husband (Glenn Ford) – both made intentionally to resemble the couple in Grant Wood's American Gothic painting – they bring up the abnormally physically gifted boy until he's ready to fly off "to fight for truth, justice and the American way".
At one stage, she tells him: "We Kents don't like show-offs, ain't that so? A body's got to be humble even if he knows that he's better'n his neighbours." A fragile beauty, Thaxter was never a show-off, but made an impact in a gentle way,...
- 8/17/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Superman actress Phyllis Thaxter has died at the age of 90. Thaxter, who passed away in her Florida home following a long battle with Alzheimer's, is best known for her role playing Clark Kent's mother in Richard Donner's 1978 film. The actress was also recognised for her parts in Bewitched, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and Act of Violence, and worked on Broadway earlier in her career. "She was one of the most beautiful and patrician icons of the (more)...
- 8/16/2012
- by By Mark Langshaw
- Digital Spy
The Hollywood Reporter confirms the sad news that Phyllis Thaxter died on Tuesday at her in Florida after what they describe as, "a long bout with Alzheimer's." The actress will be best known to comic book fans for playing Ma Kent in Richard Donner's Superman over 30 years ago. "She was one of the most beautiful and patrician icons of the golden age of movies, TV and theater," veteran movie critic Rex Reed told the site. Thaxter was also known for roles in the likes of Bewitched, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and Act of Violence.
- 8/15/2012
- ComicBookMovie.com
Phyllis Thaxter, the wholesome actress who played Ma Kent in 1978’s Superman and the faithful girlfriend to vengeful Pow Robert Ryan in the 1948 film noir classic Act of Violence, has died. She was 90. Thaxter died Tuesday at her home in Orlando after a long bout with Alzheimer's, according to her daughter, actress Skye Aubrey. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2012 A contract player at MGM and Warner Bros. in the 1940s and ’50s before her career was derailed by illness, Thaxter also starred in the psychological thriller Bewitched (1945), playing opposite Edmund Gwenn as a woman fighting
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- 8/15/2012
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
James Wolcott's right on this one: "Even if, like me, you thought you never needed or wanted to read another votive offering to Marilyn Monroe, lay aside thy doubts and reservations and attend to Jacqueline Rose's essay in the London Review of Books, 'A Rumbling of Things Unknown,' a full-course meal of a meditation." He quotes a couple of passages, but the gist is this: "It is something of a truism for psychoanalysis that one member of a family can carry the unconscious secrets of a whole family, can fall sick, as it were, on their behalf. My question is: for whom or what in 1950s and early 1960s America was Marilyn Monroe carrying the can?"
More reading. Sean O'Hagan interviews William Klein for the Guardian.
DVD/Blu-ray. Dave Kehr reviews three releases for the New York Times this week, the first from Olive Films: "Often overlooked...
More reading. Sean O'Hagan interviews William Klein for the Guardian.
DVD/Blu-ray. Dave Kehr reviews three releases for the New York Times this week, the first from Olive Films: "Often overlooked...
- 4/29/2012
- MUBI
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